The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-12
NATIONAL CAPITAL.

Postmaster General Villas has issued the
following important order: On and after this
date articles Of every kind and nature which
are admitted to the United States domestic
mails shall be admitted to tho mails ex-
changed between the United States and tho
United States postal agency at Shanghai,
China, subject, however, to the following
rates Of postage, which in oil cases shall he
fully prepaid: First-class matter, 5 cents for
each half-ounce or fraction of half ounce;
postal cards, cents each; second and third
class matter and samples of merchandise not
exceeding eight ounces in weight, l cent for
each two ounces or fraction of two ounces;
fourth-claSs matter cent for each ounce or
fraction Of an ounce; registration fee, 10
cents; no additional charge for return re-
cepts.
The secretary of the treasury has appointed
Thomas McManus of Connecticut to be chief
OF a division in the second auditors Office.
William Gardiner of Illinois, chief clerk Of
the bureau Of education, has resigned.
The President has appointed Isaac j. Cox
of New York, J. w. Doaue of Chicago,
William X. Carlisle of Kansas, commission
ers to examine and report upon thirty-four
miles Of the Northern Pacific railroad.
The naval lifeboat board, after thorough
examination Of all models submitted, has
made report to the secretary OF the navy,
in which it states that no lifeboat suitable
for use on men of-war has yet been found.
The civil service commission has placed be-
fore the President for his approval a revision
of the civil service rules, which will place
the question of promotion upon basis OF
excellence to be determined by competitive
examination, conducted by a board of OK
animation selected by the commission.
Commodore Sicard is now engaged in pre-
pairing the specifications for the torpedo boat
for which Congress appropriated 500, 900.
Great pains are be ng taken with the plans,
and it is hoped TO be able to surpass the best
results yet achieved by English builders of
torpedo boats. The proposed boat will DO
over 1875 feet in lcngth. will have sufficient
number of compartments to render her prac-
tically non~snkable vessel, will have double
engines and twin screws and the minimum
of speed will he 81 knots
The President has appointed Charles J.
Russell of Illinois and J. b. Thorne Of Mary
land, to be members of the board of visitors
of the military academy of West Point in
place of Gen. Palmer and Mr.. GwinV Of
Maryland, declined.
The Gar the Czarna and all the principal
members OF the imperial househoddepart on
the 18th inst. for Novo Tcherkask, the capt.
tai of the Don Co sack country. The visit
10 to be made for the purpose of witnessing
the grand Don Cossack military parade and
war game and to entertain the Don Cossack
notables. Troops are already being dc
spatched to take position along the line OF
railway to be travelled by the imperial par
ty so that the entire route will be guarded.
1t is reported that the Gar has decided
that the sentences Of death pronounced
against the Nihilists convicted of completely
in the recent attempt to assassinate him
shall be cOmmutsd to imprisonment at har
labor for life in the case of all but two Of the
condemned.
LIE Paris 81 ates that France has concluded
defensive alliance with certain other pow
ers, and that henceforth she will not be
alone in the event of war The statement is
interpreted as meaning that the Gar refuses
to re-enter the triple alliance, and has
promised to help France if the latter should
be attacked.
The threatened instruction of tho Greek
population of Crete against the Porte's
authority has quoted down. and the French
and English mem of-war sent to the harboI
to be present in case emergency are depart
ing.
Senior Canovas dol Castillo is about to b.
married to the daughter of the Marquis dc
Sotnayor. The latter has been opposed
to the match during courtship OF thirteen
years.
NJ. Chauvat has been installed as French
resident at Wallis sand the capital Of the
Wallis islands group in the South Pacific, ir
view Of q possible British or German occupa'
ton.
The acknowledgement has awarded to
the Holyoke Envelope Company the contract
for supplying the postofl;ce department with
registered package and other official en-
| velopes for the next fiscal year, at $S4, l43